Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocking agents in hepatotoxic and ethanol-induced liver cell injury

The present study measures cell injury, calcium entry, ATP, and glucose-6-phosphate in the rat liver and protective effects of the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocking compounds nitrendipine and nifedipine when hepatotoxic agents are administered in vivo. In preceding studies carbon tetrachloride and thioacetamide 12 hours or more after administration in vivo to rats initiated a progressive centrilobular necrosis and a large parallel increase in the calcium content of the liver. Several compounds known to block membrane calcium channels (nifedipine, nitrendipine, verapamil, and chlorpromazine) reduced the calcium entry and the centrilobular necrosis.